We obtained TSA pre-check Known Traveler Numbers. Makes things easier and faster.
But, before we got those KTNs it wasn't that bad at McCarran, even on holidays/holiday weekends. It often looked long but moved relatively quickly. I think an average of 10-15 minutes is a good estimate, and sometimes less than that.
We do curbside check-in of our bags, which is much faster than inside the terminal.
The KTN is quite painless to obtain, costs $85 for five years of use.
A bit of history: The Pre-TSA KTN system was developed to reduce the regular TSA lines and screening time. The KTN system establishes that you are a 'safe' flyer via already having been 'screened' (via the application process) as far as background, criminal record, etc., and thus can pass through TSA with a lesser degree of screening. No shoe removal, no taking the laptop out of the case, can keep sweat/jacket on. Plus you only go through the metal detector, not that other screening device.
TSA was so certain that this would immediately reduce the number of people going through the regular lines, that TSA quickly reduced the number of TSA screeners at busy airports. Talk about jumping the gun (no pun intended).
Despite advertising, the numbers of people signing up for a KTN did not meet expectations and things got worse.
So then, a system was developed to randomly assign "pre-TSA" on some boarding passes at the ticket counters, again to speed up regular screening lines. Sometimes you got it, sometimes you didn't.
Unfortunately, this resulted in a number of persons already on the watch/threat lists randomly being given the Pre-TSA, allowing them to skip the more thorough (supposedly...I know) regular TSA screening. The last I read about it, the "random" pre-TSA assigning was going to be discontinued. Don't know if it has or has not.
So, if you are counting on being randomly assigned to the TSA Pre-check line, you might be disappointed.
I recommend applying for and getting a Known Traveler Number which is 98% certain to make your passage through the airport less painful.
I say 98%, because they tell you that TSA, any airline, etc. still has discretionary authority and you could be required to go through the regular line for whatever reason.
A personal example is the otherwise wonderful Sun Country charter flight from my airport, Little Rock to Beau Rivage in Biloxi. It has been off and on whether the KTN made it onto our boarding passes in Little Rock (which are usually hand written), and though computerized at the Gulfport airport it isn't fully working there yet. Actually, that little Gulfport airport and their tiny TSA screening area has given me more aggravation than any airport I've ever flown through.
I think it is worth it to get the KTN.
